Fluid-operated and thermostatically-controlled valve mechanism.



I. 1- AND G. E; BOYLE- FLUID OPERATED AND THERMOSTATICALLWC APPLICATION FILED IAN- IO, 1916- "1,326,898.

ONTROLLED VALVE MECHANISM,

Patented Dec. 30,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

1.1. AND G. E. BOYLE.

FLUID OPERATED AND THERMOSTATICALL CONTROLLED VALVE MECHANISM,

APPLICATION EILED JAN. I0. I916- 1,326,898. Patented Dec. 30,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN JAMES ROYLE AND GEORGE ERIC ROYLE, OI IRLAM, NEAR MANCHESTER, ENG- LAND; EDWIN HARGRAVES, HARRY CHARLES DAVID SCOTT, AND GEORGE LEWIS RIDEHALGH, EXECUTORS OF SAID JOHN JAMES ROYLE, DECEASED, ASSIGNORS TO ROYLES LIMITED, 0]? IRLAM, ENGLAND, A FIRM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

Application filed January 10, 1916. Serial No. 71,386.

To all whom it may concern: I,

Be it known that we, JOHN JAMES BOYLE and Gnonon E1210 Rom, both subjects of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residents of Irlam, near Manchester, England, have invented new or Improved Fluid- Operated and Thermostatically-Controlled Valve Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention refers to and consists of a new or improved construction and arrangement of inlet or outlet fluid-operated valve, and the combination therewith of a thermostat for controlling the valve, the invention being chiefly applicable to and being hereinafter described in connection w1th a hot water storage cylinder, and also 1n connection with a steam trap.

U on the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional plan of the improved combined valve and thermostat, the valve being shown open. For the sake of clearly illustrating the 1nvention, the valve casing is shown in a hOIlzontal position i. e., turned halfway around, its normal position being preferably vertical.

Fig. 2 illustrates the improved apparatus as applied to a hot water storage cyl nder.

Fig. 3 illustrates a longitudinal sectlon of the combined valve and thermostat as adapted for use as a steam trap.

Referring to Fig. 1, a is the valve casing and b the valve. In one with, or connected to the valve, is a piston 0, designed to slide within the cylindrical extension 41' of the valve casing. In such piston is a small hole a. At the end of the cylindrical extension a is a disk or plate d, in which is a central orifice or vent e. The diameter of the piston is larger than that of the valve, and

behind the piston is a spring 0 for helping to close the valve. As shown, the plate d is held in position by being clamped be tween the end of the extension 0/ and the end of the thermostat casing Thls casing, which may be of any suitable design is shown provided with a branch f, by which it may be connected to the cylinder 9 of the apparatus with which the improved controlling mechanism 1s to be used, the water in the cylinder having access to the interior of the casing f. Centrally arranged within the casing f is the thermostat con- I sisting preferably of a cylinder h, closed at both ends, a corrugated tube 6 and a spindle 7', this latter passing centrally through the tube 5 and at one end extending loosely through the end of the cylinder h, where it is provided with a valve cone in. At its other end, the spindle is secured to a small block l to which, and the end of the cylinder h, are respectively connected the ends of the corrugated tube 2'. The cylinder h is screw- ,threaded' externally at one end, and, by

means of such screw thread and a saw cut 71/ the cylinder is adapted to be adjustably screwed into one end of the casing At its other end the cylinder h is pac ed to prevent leakage of any water from the interior of the casingf. A cap f is provided to inclose the end of'the casing f, while at a point below the valve cone is 1n the casing is a drain outlet f. The cylinder h is completely filled with an expansive gas or liquid, such as ether, mercury, or glycerin.

With the thermostat thus constructed and arranged, it will be seen that any increase of heat will cause the gas or liquid in the cylinder k to expand, and, by acting upon the end of the block I, compress the corrugated tube endwise, and, through the spindle 7', move the valve cone is farther away from the cylinder end. Contrariwise, with any subsequent decrease of heat, the gas or liquid will contract and allow the corrugated tube '5, under its own elasticity, to elongate, and through the spindle, draw the valve cone k nearer to the cylinder end. This action of the expansive gas or liquid is used to operate the valve cone 7: for the purpose of covering and uncovering the vent e in the disk (1. That is to say, the cylinder h while cold is adjusted by the screw thread and sawcut to hold the valve cone 7a a short distance away from the vent 0, see Fig. 1, the distance being such as to insure that when the maximum temperature is reached the valve cone will close the vent. Alternatively, the cylinder h may be adjusted while hot, the valve cone 7: being adjusted to cover the vent 6 when the maximum temperature is reached.

The steam used in heating the water within the cylinder 9 enters the cylinder via the main valve casing a in the direction of the arrows, see Fig. 1. Until the vent e is closed by the thermostat, the main valve 6 remains to the cylinder.

As soon as the temperature of the water in the cylinder falls, the thermostat is affectedv accordingly, whereupon the vValve cone is is caused to uncover the Vent e and allow the steam pressure to again act upon the piston to re-open the valve.

By varying the longitudinal adjustment of the cylinder 71., the temperature at which the valve cone is will cover the vent 6 will vary.

In the example of hot water cylinder shown in Fig. 2, the steam enters the cylinder via pipe m and circulates through a tube or tubes within the cylinder. A small drain pipe 7 may be provided for conveying away the steam (or water of condensation) which escapes through the vent e.

Referring now to Fig. 3, which illustrates the invention as applied to a steam trap, the valve casing a is joined to the casing f of the thermostat, and the arrangement of the parts is such that) the water of condensation and any steam passing the valve 1), also passes through the thermostat casing. As

, in the previously described arrangements,

the valve casing has a lateral extension a to receive the piston 0, which latter is connected to the valve 6. In the piston is a small hole 0. Applied to the end of the extension a' is a cap d having an orifice c.

By means of a bent pipe n, the said orifice e and the vent f in the end of the thermostat casing, are placed in communication with each other. The thermostat is as previously described, the valve cone is coming opposite the vent and being adjusted when cold to uncover the vent.

With the trap in use and the water of condensation following the course of the full line arrows being discharged, the steam following finds the valve 6 fully open and flows through the thermostat casing and through the discharge outlet branch f. But upon the steam coming in contact with the thermostat, the liquid or gas in the cylinder it expands and moves the spindle j out until the valve cone is covers the vent f Immediately the vent is covered the steam closes the valve 6, which, for the time being stops the flow of any more steam. With an accumulation of water of condensation above the valve 5, and with the subsequent cooling of the thermostat, the liquid or gas in the cylinder k contracts and allows the vent f to be uncovered by the valve cone is, whereupon the valve 6, under the preponderance of the pressure upon the piston c, instantly reopens its full distance, and allows the Water of condensation to escape. As soon, however, as the steam again comes, the vent f is again covered and the valve I) again closed.

The valve 2) being full open during the period of discharge, it affords a full-Way passage for the Water, a feature of importance where a large quantity of water requires to be ejected.

It will be understood that the casings w and f may be variously arranged and connectedso long as the steam can pass through both when the valve b is open.

In the example of steam trap so far described, Fig. 3, the thermostat is on the low pressure'or atmospheric side of the valve 6.

It will'be seen that in each example of the invention the action of the main valve is very ositive and accurate. Further, that the va ve has no movement until the desired temperature is reached, when it operates instantly to out 01f the steam. It will also beseen that the valve is always either fully open or fully closed, thus preventing wire drawing or like eifects. Further, as compared with .the known expansion steam traps, the work of controlling the flow of the steam is transferred from the thermostat to the main valve.

In all cases in lieu of the hole 0' in the piston, the piston may be a slack fit in the extension a. F urther, instead of the hole in the piston or diaphra m. there may be a port or passage in the valve casing, extending from the valve to the vent side of the piston.

What we claim is 1. In fluid-operated and thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, a valve, and valve casing, said casing having a cylindrical extension on the hlgh pressure side of the valve, and said extension being closed at the end farthest from the valve except for a small orifice or vent which opens to the atmosphere, a piston of larger diameter than the valve within the valvecasing extension and having a small hole, means for connecting the piston to the valve, a spring for urging the piston and valve toward the valve seating, a further casing connected to the valve casing extension, and said casing having a branch by which it may communi cate with the fluid to be controlled, a thermostat Within the further casing comprisin a corrugated tube with closed end, an ad ustable cylinder inclosing the corrugated tube, an expansive element completely filling the space between the cylinder and the tube, and a spindle connected to the closed end of the tube and projecting through the opposite end of the tube, the

point of the said spindle coming opposite to and being designed to cover or uncover the hole in the end of the valve casing extension under the expansion or contraction of the said element, and said casing having a partition with central opening, and packing in such opening, through which the said thermostat cylinder may slide, as set foith.

2. In fluid-operated and thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, a valve, and valve casing, said casing having a cylindrical extension on the high pressure side of the valve, and said extension being closed at the end farthest from the valve except for a small orifice or vent which opens to the atmosphere, a piston of larger diameter than the valvewithin the valve casing extension and having a small hole, means for connecting the piston to the valve, a spring for urging the piston and valve toward the valve seating, a further casing connected to the valve casin extension, and said casing having a branc by which it may be connected to the cylinder of a water heater and through which the water may circulate, a thermostat within the further casing coniprisin a corrugated tube with closed end, an ad ustable cylinder inclosing the corrugated tube, an expansive element completely filling the space between the cylinder and the tube and a spindle connected to the closed end of the tube and projecting through the opposite end of the tube, the point of the said spindle coming opposite to and being designed to cover or uncover the hole in the end of the valve casing extension under the expansion or contraction of the said element, and said casing having a partition with central opening, and packing in such opening, through which the said thermostat cylinder may slide, as set forth.

3. In fluid-operated and thermostatically controlled valve mechanism, a valve, and

valve casing, said casing having a cylindrical extension on the high ressure side of the valve, and said extension being closed at the end farthest from the valve except for a small orifice or vent which opens to the atmosphere, a piston of larger diameter than the valve within the valve casing extension and having a small hole, means for connecting the piston to the valve, a spring for urging the piston and valve toward the valve seating, a further casing connected to the valve casing extension, and said casing having a branch by which it may be connected to the cylinder of a water heater and through which the water may circulate, a thermostat within the further casing comprising an elongated corrugated tube of comparatively small diameter, with one end closed, and open at the other end, an adjustable cylinder inclosing the corrugated tube, which latter is connected at its open end to one end of the adjustable. cylinder, the space between the tube and cylinder being sealed and such space being completely filled with an expansive liquid, a spindle connected to the closed end of the tube and projecting through the open end of the tube, the point of said spindle coming. opposite to and being designed to cover or uncover the hole in the end of the valve casing extension under the expansion or contraction of the said liquid, and said further casing having a partition with central opening, and packing in such opening, through which the said thermostat cylinder may slide when adjusted, as set forth.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN JAMES BOYLE. GEORGE ERIC ROYLE. Witnesses:

F. G. Pnnnme'ron, F. J. MEREDITH. 

